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Syncro 180 vs. Econotig

07-07-2003, 09:49 PM

ok ive given up on my dreams of getting a dynasty 200, the cost was too great($5000+/-? canadian)!

i guess my choice because its in the price range is Econotig($1600can.) or Syncrowave 180 runner($2400can.) with duty cycles, amps, digi meters... aside what does the Syncrowave have makin it worth the 800?

plus, im wanting to do light aluminum work, but ive never done Al so what machine would be easist to learn with?

p.s. hawk if you read this, thanks for the reply(another topic), but no one has the dynasty instock therefor no demos i guess? **** canadians!

JWD.......... THE ECONOTIG DOES AS I RECALL ONLY GO DOWN TO 30 AMPS....... ......... HOWEVER THE SYNCROWAVE 180 GOES DOWN TO 7 AMPS MINIMUM IN AC AND 10 AMPS MINIMUM IN DC........... FOR MY .02 CENTS WORTH I THINK I WOULD GO FOR THE SYNCROWAVE......... BUT AS ALWAYS SIR IT IS YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY.......... HAVE YOU TRIED TO TIG WELD WITH EITHER MACHINE......... TAKE THEM FOR A WHIRL TEST WELD WITH THEM THEN YOU CAN DECIDE FOR YOUR SELF............. YOU MIGHT LIKE ONE MORE THAN THE OTHER..............ENJOY THE DECISION MAKEING...........ROCK...............SSCOTT@MILLERWELDS.COM

ROCK

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Squarewave AC output and the adjustable balance control makes the Syncrowave 180 the better machine for welding aluminum. The sign wave output of the Econotig does OK on aluminum, but the squarewave output of the Syncrowave definately makes the entire process easier.

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ya just checked it out, the econo brand new is only $200 dollars less! i think it was a floor model or something! in that case i would pluck the new syncro 180 over the new econo anyday!

ive done about 2 mins of Tig at school, all i did was one big crater(Al)! just to get an idea of what i was usin, is a (1990+?)hobart 250 have syncrowave?

do all "light industrial" Tigs pretty much have the same technology in DC? and ofcourse would it be easist to learn the motions of Tig on steel? is Tig on steel as hard as i think it is?

for me right now its either gettin the econotig for $1600 and getting a Mig with it, maybe millermatic 175! or getting the syncrowave 180 and doin all my fabricating with it and maybe gettin a Mig in a year or so, if i start any chassis building? out of the two options what do you all think would be wise for a first welder?

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Originally posted by JWD ya just checked it out, the econo brand new is only $200 dollars less! i think it was a floor model or something! in that case i would pluck the new syncro 180 over the new econo anyday!

ive done about 2 mins of Tig at school, all i did was one big crater(Al)! just to get an idea of what i was usin, is a (1990+?)hobart 250 have syncrowave?

do all "light industrial" Tigs pretty much have the same technology in DC? and ofcourse would it be easist to learn the motions of Tig on steel? is Tig on steel as hard as i think it is?

for me right now its either gettin the econotig for $1600 and getting a Mig with it, maybe millermatic 175! or getting the syncrowave 180 and doin all my fabricating with it and maybe gettin a Mig in a year or so, if i start any chassis building? out of the two options what do you all think would be wise for a first welder?

TIG welding steel is much easier then aluminum. The DC arc on the Econotig and Syncrowave 180 is going to be similar. The Econotig is a very good DC machine with in it current range, and an adequate AC. The 180 is a very good DC machine, and an excellent AC machine. By the way, I own an Econotig and have recently logged a fair amount of time in on a 180. I originally chose the Econotig because I mainly TIG .120 wall steel and stainless steel tube, which the Econotig does a very good job on. Also, at home I don t TIG steel that is any thinner then about 16 ga ( I do enough of the thinner gages at work)so, the 30 amp minimum on the DC side wasn t a problem for me either. The ability to weld aluminum really wasn t that important. If you seriously intend to do any aluminum welding with one of these machines I would go with the 180. The 180 is a far superior machine for welding aluminum.

I bought my Econotig before Miller came out with the updated 180. If this current machine had existed at the time I wouldn t have hesitated for a moment. I would definate purchase this new version of the 180 over an Econotig. I am currently considering either selling my econotig or trading it in so that I can get the 180 myself. I personally feel you would be much happier with the 180. Over all it is a way better machine then the Econotig.

You should also consider that it will probably take you close to a year anyway to become real good at TIG on the AC and DC side of the machine. Get the best TIG you can afford first because tig is much more versatile then MIG. My vote is for the 180.

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Sorry no one has Dynasty in stock for demo. Wow! on the price tag. The welding shop I deal with was prepping a Dynasty 200 for a customer this afternoon. It went for less than $2500.00. I'm not very familiar with how Canadian pricing compares to USA pricing. Good luck with your purchase and take everyone's advice to BUY AS MUCH AS YOU CAN AFFORD the first time around. You won't be sorry.
As for the $2500.00- that's machine only. You still need torch, footpedal, etc-all available in contractor kit for this machine-another $500.00.

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thanks guys! i guess ill take yall advise on gettin the best Tig i can afford!

just outa interest what is the cost to operate a Tig welder like the syncrowave? let me know if this sounds right $50? for tungstun, $2? per filler rod, gas $40? per fill,and the power bill... is that about it?

oh and Dan you said a year or so to weld "real good" in tig, is that nice looking welds etc., or how bout just getting something welded?